British actor and former professional footballer Vinnie Jones has revealed has has been diagnosed with skin cancer. The 48 year old revealed he has been fighting cancer since finding a lump back in February of this year. Having first noticed a small blemish below his eye, which Jones originally believed was a blackhead or wart, he has since had several lumps surgically removed. Jones told the Sun:

“I’m fighting this cancer with everything I’ve got.” “Cancer is a horrible word to hear. It frightens the life out of you”

The former Wimbledon midfielder is suffering from Melanoma, the most severe case of skin cancer which consumes the lives of 1,300 men and 900 women every year.

“I’ve faced the biggest and ugliest lads on the football field and been in some nasty bar brawls. But this is my toughest and scariest opponent yet.”

“It’s weighing very heavily on me all the time. It has really knocked me for six and made me reassess my life and goals.”

Whats worse is Jones wife Tanya has also fought the disease in prior years. Vinnie added:

“They now think her skin cancer is a result of the drugs she’s been taking since the heart transplant.

“When it comes to things like this, women are stronger. Suddenly I’ve gone from the one helping her to the one that needs support. I’m trying to take the world in a bit more and appreciate my family and friends.”

Last week, Hollywood star Hugh Jackman revealed he too had been treated for skin cancer.